Final transfer guidance published

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has published her final guidance on transfers

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has published her final guidance for post-primary school admission from September 2010.

"In terms of its key points, the guidance remains unchanged," Ms Ruane said.

"First, there will be no transfer test provided by the department.

"Second, the guidance maintains its recommendation that schools do not use academic admissions."

However, Dominic Bradley of the SDLP told the assembly that grammar schools would ignore her wishes, describing her guidance as "irrelevant".

The minister said the vast majority of people who responded to consultation of her new transfer arrangements were in favour of her plan, including the end of academic selection.

Ms Ruane continued: "Third, the guidance maintains its recommendation that all schools should use as their first admission criterion, a criterion that gives proportionate priority to children entitled to free school meals.

"What is new? The guidance is now a much more detailed and comprehensive document.

"Annexes 2 and 3 include clear definitions and practical guidelines on criteria and an illustration of how to use the free school meal entitlement criterion."

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